Val Wiitala

Valeria (Val) Kaye Wiitala was born on January 27, 1948 to Robert and Velma (Schutz) Dehnel in Ritzville, WA. Val passed away at home on August 8, 2025.

She attended school in Ritzville and graduated in 1966. During her senior year in high school Val attended classes at Big Bend Community College that were sponsored by the Boeing Co. and

consequently, she had a job offer from Boeing right after she graduated. Thus began her lifelong pursuit of learning, adventure, and love.

As a single mother she raised her children Marcy and CJ while working at various jobs and attending pharmacy tech school. She had a deep love for her children, grandchildren Lindsey and Cassidy, great grandchildren Flynn, Rowan, Haven and Harley and her numerous foster children many of which she maintained close contact throughout the years.

She had an “in your face” attitude and you knew where you stood with her but she always had a kind word and a smile for everyone.

She married Bob Wiitala in 2001 and together they enjoyed many years of traveling and spending time with family and friends.

It is so difficult to sum up a person’s life in a few short paragraphs, we remember Val as a loving wife, mom, grandma, and friend. She was known as Mom and Grandma to many other people that passed through her life.

Val was preceded in death by her Father, Mother, brothers Rodney and Randy and her son Charles Jason (CJ). She is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Marcy, grandchildren and great grandchildren and brother Donald.

A service and memorial will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Danekas funeral home in Ritzville, WA. An informal gathering of friends and family will follow at the Eagles Aerie in Ritzville.